The Zhou Family's Dinner

After leaving the blacksmith's shop, Zhou Yang wandered around the village before finally arriving at Old Zhang's dilapidated houses, where he met Luan and You.

The two of them had been hiding in the cellar waiting for him for a long time.

After he arrived, he inquired about the progress of the two men in creating their "Flesh Bodhisattva Body," and comforted them, telling them to focus on preparing their respective Flesh Bodhisattva Body, and that he would take care of everything else.

The two were moved to tears of gratitude, and Zhou Yang then taught them the essential points of the Visualization Method in the "Charnel Ground Homa Offering".

This Visualization Method was directly manifested by Aji within Zhou Yang's mind at that time.

All the "secrets" contained in the visualization diagram were imprinted in Zhou Yang's heart.

However, when he passed this method on to others, even though they could fully reveal the visualization diagram using the "Fat Mirror Lamp," the secret nature of the diagram was not as profound as when Aji directly revealed it to Zhou Yang's heart.

Even so, as long as the two diligently cultivate themselves, they will be able to protect themselves by relying on this method when they pass the two trials after the Revelation Ceremony.

After the teachings were passed on, Luan Xiaofeng and You Chuntian immediately wanted to kowtow to Zhou Yang.

You Chuntian further claimed that Zhou Yang's kindness to him was so great that he could not repay it even in nine lifetimes, and he could only serve Zhou Yang as a beast of burden for all eternity.

Zhou Yang had no choice but to stop the two. He then inquired about the "Liu Family" from Luan Xiaofeng before parting ways with them. Before leaving, he made a promise with them that if they met again, they would not stay in the dilapidated house in Old Zhang, but would instead go to another empty house that no one lived in.

--If you keep going to this dilapidated house, the Guan Village will start to have their eyes on you.

After leaving the dilapidated house, Zhou Yang strolled leisurely home.

He was toying with a wax tiger in his hand.

According to Luan Xiaofeng, this refers to a tiger that is long and crouching, resembling a tiger tally, and also has an endearing, clumsy appearance. It is actually made of flour mixed with glutinous rice flour and can be considered a type of dough figurine.

Within this tiger-faced mask lies the accumulated wisdom and experience of generations of the Luan Family.

The wavy lines imprinted on the tiger's body form those colorful tiger stripes.

If you encounter evil spirits blocking your way, you can crush this wax tiger. The ripples inside will burst out in an instant, which can confuse the ghosts and buy you time to escape.

Zhou Yang accepted Luan Xiaofeng's gift and immediately fell in love with it.

He wasn't interested in the object's ability to bewitch ghosts, but rather in the subtle spirituality hidden within the tiger-faced creature.

A trace of spirituality caused the Little Zhuoma, who was attached to Zhou Yang's soul, to constantly emit fluctuations, telling Zhou Yang that she liked this thing.

At that moment, Zhou Yang had an idea—to use this wax tiger as a symbol of Zhuoma's Primordial Right Consciousness. However, before that, he also needed to make some modifications to the object.

Could you make a few more dough figurines like these?

"Even a clay figure will do."

"It could be in the shape of a tiger, or a bird, or a pig—but it would be best if you could sculpt a beautiful woman that is full of life."

"It doesn't matter what material it is, but it must be made sturdy and durable, and as small as this wax tiger."

"You'll have to do your best; I'll trouble you to put in the effort."

While in the cellar, Zhou Yang made his demands to Luan Xiaofeng.

Luan Xiaofeng felt that Zhou Yang's request was too simple, so she readily agreed and promised to sculpt a beautiful woman for Zhou Yang.

As he spoke, he also winked at Zhou Yang.

Most likely, they assumed Zhou Yang was a lecherous man and asked him to sculpt a beautiful woman just to satisfy their visual cravings.

Luan Xiaofeng was naturally unaware that it was Sangsang's own request to sculpt a clay beauty as a physical body.

As he neared his house, Zhou Yang braided a rope, tied the wax tiger to it, and hung it around his neck. He strode into the gatehouse and, still in the passageway, shouted:

"Mother, I'm back!"

From the main hall, came low growls and howls, some painful and some joyful.

All these sounds were made by Huang Shaozi chanting scriptures inside the house.

As Zhou Yang's call rang out, the various strange noises in the main room abruptly ceased.

"The Yang'er are back..."

Huang Shaozi responded.

Not long after, she opened the door and came out.

"Wait a minute, Mother."

"I'll put my things back inside first, then I'll go to the woodshed to cook!"

Zhou Yang said a few words to Huang Shaozi, then hurriedly returned to his bedroom, deposited his wages for the day, and went out again.

At this moment, Huang Shaozi was already standing at the door of the woodshed, looking at Zhou Yang with affection. "Yang'er, are you really going to cook?" Mother thought you were just joking.

"This is your first time cooking, shall I help you?"

"I already said I'd cook to show my filial piety to you and Dad, how could I let you help me again?" Zhou Yang laughed. "You just go about your business, or rest in the house, I can handle this meal by myself!"

"Good boy..."

Huang Shaozi exclaimed in admiration, his smile growing even brighter.

"Did Dad go to the fields again?" Zhou Yang asked casually. "Is Big Brother still helping out at the Xiao Family's place?"

"Your older brother came back around noon," Huang Shaozi said. "Your father told him to come and work in the fields this afternoon."

They ate and then left together.

"They went down to the fields together..." Hearing Huang Shaozi's words, Zhou Yang became secretly wary.

I wonder if Dad ate that Heigou clean this morning?

If there's any left, I'm afraid I'll have to share some with Zhou Baigou by the afternoon?

Thinking of this, Zhou Yang felt a chill run down his spine. His smile remained unchanged, "Then when they return, they'll be able to eat the meal I made!"

"Mother, I'm going to the woodshed to get busy."

"You don't need to help me. Go and rest, just relax!"

Aiko insisted, and after a moment's hesitation, Huang Shaozi nodded in agreement.

She gave up the woodshed she had guarded for many years.

She went back to the main room and bolted the door.

Before long, strange chanting sounds came from inside the house.

Zhou Yang watched his mother return to the main room to chant scriptures and pray to the gods. He then went into the woodshed and first checked the available ingredients.

In the corner of the woodshed, in front of the hanging shrine, a half-jar of raw rice was arranged like an offering.

There were no pictures of deities displayed inside the shrine, only a black cloth with no writing on it.

There was a wooden bucket under the chopping board, containing several bloody pig lungs.

On the wooden table sat an earthenware jar of fat and a cow's head. All the meat was extremely fresh.

The pig lungs in the bucket were still steaming.

The Guan Village rarely leave the village, and the poultry and livestock they raise are, in fact, a complicated matter.

Where does this fresh meat come from?

Zhou Yang only knew that there was a butcher shop in the village, and most of the villagers bought their meat from there, but he had no idea where the meat came from.

He didn't have time to think too much at the moment.

After glancing at the ingredients and making some calculations in his mind, Zhou Yang immediately decided to use these ingredients to make three kinds of offerings, along with a soup.

While Aji was still conscious, Zhou Yang obtained the "Lord of the Charnel Ground Homa Offering" from him and inquired about the methods for making several offerings.

He then told Aji that the offerings he wanted to make were ones that would please the spirits and gods, but would also unconsciously eliminate their evil and terrifying tendencies.

Aji did not disappoint Zhou Yang and immediately listed several kinds of offerings for him.

Based on the ingredients currently in the woodshed, there are three types that Zhou Yang can easily prepare.

He immediately grabbed a cleaver, split open the cow's head on the wooden table, and dug out the brain from the bones. He first ground the brain into minced meat, then scooped out two spoonfuls of "stove core soil" from the wood-fired stove, spread a thin layer on the minced meat, and then smeared on a layer of fat...

After a series of elaborate preparations, the "Subduing Anger Offering" was completed.

This offering can subdue the unwarranted anger and madness of spirits and deities, keeping them calm.

After that, Zhou Yang made the "Compassionate Heart Offering" and the "Purity Offering" in succession.

As he added firewood to the stove and began cooking the last soup, Zhou's father and the Baigou finally returned home.

The family sat upright at the dining table in the main room.

Everyone's face bore the same stern, indifferent expression.

The oil lamp cast a faint glow, illuminating the people sitting at the table, making them look like several stiff, lifeless corpses.

Footsteps approached rapidly outside the door.

Zhou Yang walked in carrying a plate of dishes. He looked at his family members' faces, which appeared even paler and greener under the lamplight, and dared not say a word. He put down the plates and turned back to get the second dish.

After running back and forth several times, the table was already set with dishes, rice, and soup.

As Zhou Yang sat down and Zhou Laogou picked up the first bite of food, the family members at the table immediately began to wield their chopsticks with incredible speed. The sounds of chewing and growling, like those of a beast tearing apart its prey, instantly filled the main room.

On the wall illuminated by the oil lamp, only a few messy and huge shadows could be seen, tearing and fighting fiercely!

Zhou Yang held the chopsticks, but couldn't insert them into the hole several times.

He simply lowered his head and began to eat the bowl of uncooked rice.

Before long, the Zhou Family finished their meal, and the bowls and plates on the table were clean and spotless.

Zhou Yang helped his mother clear the dishes and returned to the dining table.

Every evening after dinner, the family would sit around the table, chatting or discussing things, creating a very warm and cozy atmosphere.

This is especially true today.

After the meal, the family members all looked lively, their eyes sparkling, and they seemed to have regained some of their vitality.

Even Zhou Laogou and Zhou Baigou had a faint smile on their faces.

Normally, after meals, the Zhou Family ' skin would be tight, as if coated with a layer of oil, and would be shiny, unlike normal skin. But today, their skin showed absolutely no abnormalities.

Everyone's skin tone was normal, and their facial expressions were very lifelike. They were almost indistinguishable from real people.

The three offerings they consumed took effect, and the demons beneath their skin immediately calmed down.

Thus, the human skin that wrapped the ghost had a chance to catch its breath and draw some nutrition from the food.

"Yang'er cooked a very good meal."

Huang Shaozi smiled contentedly and happily, "Even I never imagined that Yang'er would have such good cooking skills."

"I've been watching Mother work in the woodshed every day, and I've been trying to learn from her. It seems I'm doing quite well," Zhou Yang said casually, praising Huang Shaozi. Then he added, "Mother, Father, and Brother, if you like it, I'll make it for you again."

"Then you'll have to cook dinner every day from now on," Zhou Baigou bluntly stated.

There was no room for negotiation in his tone; he wanted to settle the matter on the spot.

"No, the Yang'er still has to go to work."

"Sometimes he inevitably comes home late, how can we let him cook dinner alone every day?" Huang Shaozi shook his head, rejecting Zhou Baigou's suggestion on Zhou Yang Yang's behalf.

Zhou Baigou didn't speak, but turned to look at the Laogou.

The faint smile on Laogou's face had vanished completely. He stared blankly at Zhou Yang: "You're back from work early, so why don't you cook for the family A-Yang?"

Seeing the Laogou's lifeless face again, Zhou Yang's heart stirred. Under his clothes, a series of Ghost Mouth quietly opened, and the ripples of the Fat Mirror Lamp spread silently. He hesitated.

A moment later, he said to Zhou Laogou, "Father, my Revelation Ceremony is almost here."

"I need to earn more money so that I can accumulate enough fat for the Revelation Ceremony."

He did not explicitly state his demands.

But the implication was that he was hinting to his family that he would have to work more at the blacksmith's shop in the coming days to save money for the Revelation Ceremony.

Therefore, I'm afraid I won't be able to come back often to cook dinner for my family.

"Yes."

Zhou Laogou nodded.

He hung his head, as if deep in thought.

After a moment, he raised his face and looked at Zhou Yang, saying, "You cook for the family, so the family will give you some money too."

"You don't need to stay up so late at A Fu's place anymore." Zhou Yang's eyes lit up, and he thanked him repeatedly, "Thank you, Father! Thank you, Father!"

Huang Shaozi added from the side, "Heigou has gone on a long trip and won't be back for a while. Master, why don't you give the Old Chain you promised Heigou to Yang'er first? He can use it after his Revelation Ceremony."

"Anyway, when the Heigou comes back, we still have to go through the Revelation Ceremony."

"When he has finished his Revelation Ceremony, we will have the Yang'er return the Old Chain to him."

"By then, the Yang'er should be able to stand on their own two feet."

"What do you think, sir?"